A Song for Bridget

by Cathryn Kemp

Based on the real-life of Bridget Mary Larkin, aka Tipperary Mary. We journey back to Ireland, to follow the story of a young girl, growing up without her father, who dies before she is born. At the age of 15, she finds the body of her stepfather, a man with a history of mental illness, who has hanged himself in the family home, leaving behind his natural daughter (Bridget’s half-sister, Philomena). Following the death of her mother, Bridget finds love with a local lad, Bill. But when her brother - now head of the household - discovers the relationship, he stops it, threatening Bill – then beating and raping Bridget. Bill is forced to flee to England, while Bridget endures a terrible life at home at the hands of her brother. Finally, after giving birth to her brother’s child at a single mother’s institution, she has her child removed for adoption and she flees to England in search of Bill and a new life. She eventually tracks him down - and they fall into each other’s arms. However, Bill is now married with a child of his own. They begin an affair, and she adopts his surname – but Bill, wracked with guilt, returns to his wife. Now pregnant with Bill’s child, Bridget’s drinkingbecomes worse. As her life spirals out of control – her daughter, Phyllis (named after her beloved young half-sister Philomena) is born. Bridget holds onto the child she has had with the love her life for as long as she can – but is finally forced to let her go. Will they ever meet again...?

257 pages, Paperback

Published July 12, 2018

About the author

Cathryn is a Sunday Times bestselling ghostwriter and journalist, with a prolific career writing celebrity, inspirational, true crime, addiction and nostalgia titles.
A Poisoner's Tale, published by Transworld/Penguin Random House on July 11th, 2024, is her first foray into historical fiction.
When not writing, Cathryn can be found braving the waves off the south coast or restoring her glorious Victorian wreck with her son Leonardo and cat Gingey.

Reviews

[Inky · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the intial introduction to the book by the author Phyllis, I had some misgivings, Phyllis had got to know and develop a relationship with Bridget through her job as a district nurse, she knew that Bridget was her mother but choose not to disclose this bond to Bridget, instead she used the guise of her job as district nurse to infiltrate and develop relationship with her mother, As a trained nurse I wonder how ethical this decision was, and should Phyllis have disclosed this fact to Bridget from the outset.
Aside from this, the book was incredible, I experienced the highs and lows of Bridget's life, and felt overwhelming sadness, and anger for her plight. Bridget was dealt the most unfair hand of cards, and I in no way blame her for her actions or reactions. The men and the Catholic church, disgusted me with their behaviour and treatment of her, and to be honest I wanted to see some karma meted towards them for their treatment of Bridget. I kept desperately hoping some one would believe her and get her help and support. I thank god times have changed, and women do not have to have their lives destroyed by the crassness of men ,the actions of the local priest. and that the laundries have closed down. The church and it's doctrines should never have been allowed to exert so much control. and I am glad it no longer appears to have such a vice like grip on the irish community, and the church and it's clergy are s being exposed for the horrors they perpetrated on vulnerable Irish citizens. The church and it's uniformed clergy should be ashamed of their actions, and for the countless number of womens lives they have destroyed.

[Lynn Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book!!

As soon as I started reading the first live line in the book I knew it was going to be good. The first chapter had me booked and I couldn't put the book down until I finished it. I was told about this author by my sister as I had never heard of her before and I'm so glad she did. I was transfixed by the story from start to finish and actually felt like I was there. Fantastic reading and I'll be reading a lot more books from her.

[Shauna Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a hard book to read from start to finish I got frustrated with Bridget while reading and for her keeping relapsing but the more o read the more I understood she couldn’t help herself she was so addicted to alcohol and the abuse she suffered from her brother was just the beginning of her downwards spiral for life the church and all it’s associated helpers had also a lot to do with her despair a harrowing but brilliant read

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a tragic story, it really makes you think about the down and outs you see about and how their stories are probably similarly traumatic. A brave book to have written and I enjoyed it more than Finding Tipperary Mary, it was better written and less repeptitive.

[stella walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A

such a good book from start to finish.Could not put it down.will follow Phyllis Whitsells other books with much interest.

[d m palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good, only took a day to read

[Michelle Garvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down 🫶🏻

[Gill Crout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the way it was written about the writers mum. The reason her mum turned to drink .

[Cherryl Chung]

I started it but couldn’t read it. Too depressing. Probably well written just a story I don’t care to hear about right now.